The ads – linking Bush and Dole to arch-conservative GOP contenders like Steve Forbes and Pat Buchanan – began airing in the early presidential contest states of New Hampshire and Iowa and may move on to New York and other states.

“They are trying to hide their extreme views because they know those views are not shared by the majority of the American people,” insisted National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League President Kate Michelman, who unveiled the national campaign.

Abortion activists on both sides of the fight are angry with both candidates – over Bush’s recent olive branch to GOP pro-choicers that he won’t push a constitutional ban on abortion, and Mrs. Dole’s refusal to elaborate on her anti-abortion stance.

Pundits say both contenders are trying to downplay the abortion issue to avoid alienating the GOP mainstream.

One NARRAL ad informs viewers that Bush once vowed “‘to do everything in my power to restrict abortions’ … Get the picture? George Bush is anti-choice.”

The Texas governor, pressed on his stand, told reporters yesterday: “I don’t view it in terms of winning or losing. I’m pro-life … I don’t expect to get everybody’s vote should I decide to run.”

The other pro-choice ad claims Dole holds “strong anti-abortion positions” just like “the rest of the Republicans on the far right.”

NARRAL is especially worried that female voters will be so eager to see a woman in the White House, they’ll ignore Mrs. Dole’s anti-abortion stance – although Michelman predicted that once women “learn” her views, they’ll hold her “to the same standards” as her male rivals.

Dole spokesman Ari Fleischer blasted the ad as a “partisan, negative” attack, but suggested Dole won’t be explaining what he calls her “pro-life” views any time soon.

“The American people aren’t demanding that the political campaign season begin early,” he said.

Political analyst Bill Schneider said the abortion issue poses a dilemma for GOP contenders.

“It splits the party. It gains ’em votes; it loses ’em votes,” he said, adding that Bush was staking out what the Republican base believes is the “best compromise” to bring the party together.